From: Anna Abbott [aabbott@bay.csuhayward.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 6:10 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: "Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598"
Please require the following regarding genetically altered foods:
* Require mandatory pre-market comprehensive
environmental review. Unlike conventional pollutants,
where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount
of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have a
population explosion and reproduce forever, causing
unlimited and irreparable damage.
* Require mandatory pre-market long-term health
testing. GE products could be toxic, cause allergic
responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise
immune responses in consumers.
* Require mandatory labeling of GE products.
Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health
professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction
was the result of a genetically engineered food.
Consumers would be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to
hold food producers liable should any of these novel products
be hazardous.
* Require better ethics on the part of FDA on who is allowed to write
the regulatory rules.
People have been allowed to work for a biotech company, then work for
the FDA writing
the regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to working
for the company. Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory committee meetings
had at least one conflict of interest.
Sincerely,
Anna Abbott, Hayward, Calif.